Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) Conferences bring together community leaders, economic development professionals and entrepreneurs from across the country. These professionals attend EDAC Conferences to participate in sessions, network and listen to speakers sharing their innovative ideas and solutions to national and local challenges.
EDAC 2025 will be held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON from October 6 – 9, 2025. Monday is registration and Opening Reception, Tuesday-Thursday are sessions!
Amber Mac is a world renowned expert on all things marketing, technology, innovation, and transformation. Her popular Twitter feed boasts more than 120,000 followers from around the world, each eager to consume her hard-won insights on the next generation of business and consumer technology. Whether it be enhancing customer experience, understanding how to leverage AI, or building an unforgettable brand from scratch—as she’s done—Mac empowers leaders and organizations to take advantage of the digital revolution. Now the co-host of Marketing Disrupted—the Accenture-produced series that debuted as the #1 business podcast in the country—Mac explores how CMOs can adapt to the changing landscape and incoming hurdles that digital disruption will bring. And in the top-rated (and award-winning) podcast The AI Effect, Mac speaks to high-profile guests about the challenges and benefits of AI adoption in Canada, alongside Accenture’s Jodie Wallis. She also remains a regular business host and expert for Fast Company,CNN, Bloomberg TV, CBS, BNN, and The Marilyn Denis Show.
Mac is the bestselling author of Power Friending and Outsmarting Your Kids Online. She has delivered keynotes at more than 300 events around the world and moderated sessions with notable leaders like Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former FBI Director James Comey, and famed astronaut Chris Hadfield. Her digital agency AmberMac Media, which has worked with leading organizations from Microsoft to GE, recently teamed up with PayPal, Facebook, and the BDC to produce Her Turn: an online business competition for women entrepreneurs. “As a small business owner, I’m thrilled to promote women across this country who are launching and running companies that need help,” explains Mac, who also hosts the program.
Previously, Mac worked as a strategist for Razorfish and Director of Marketing for an e-procurement software company. After four years in the technology trenches, she joined Microsoft to build one of the first female-focused lifestyle portals.
Jonathon has over 14 years of experience in International Business Development and Investment Promotion as a Trade Commissioner at Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Responsible for Investment Promotion, Jonathon works directly with Canadian Provinces, Territories, and Municipalities to attract foreign investment into Canada.
Prior to his role as Director, Jonathon served as Deputy Director of Partnerships and Governance, where he worked to expand GACs partnerships with Canadian Municipalities. Previously, he served as head of investment and Vice-Consul at the Consulate General of Canada in Mumbai, and Second Secretary Commercial at the Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Korea, working with Korean companies to set up their operations in Canada.
Jonathon holds a Bachelors of Social Science from the University of Ottawa.
Brock Dickinson is the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the University of Waterloo, and the Director of the University’s Economic Development Program. He currently works in private equity, and advises communities, companies and organizations around the world on geopolitics, economic development and sustainability.
Chris is an informative, entertaining, and insightful strategic humorist with a serious message: dare to be different and reach highest aspiration or join the burgeoning ranks of the unnoticed. Chris’ 30 years of award-winning community economic development experience in 90 communities has been dedicated to reconnecting people to the power of community-building. His dry sense of humour and no nonsense, cut-through-clutter style challenges conventions and leaves people with inspiration to “make community-building personal.”
